THRISSUR: Celebrity tusker Thechikottukavu Ramachandran, one of the tallest elephants in Kerala, has been given permission to be taken to temples for the procession with conditions. The procession is allowed only in Thrissur and Palakkad districts.

The elephant should be taken for procession only twice a week. The Captive Elephant Monitoring Committee has suggested that four mahouts should accompany the elephant when it is taken away. Permission has been granted with strict conditions on the basis of the report of the expert committee that the health condition of the elephant is satisfactory. Thechikottukavu Devaswom, the owner, will be fully responsible for any damage caused. The expert committee had examined the health condition of Thechikottukavu Ramachandran and submitted a report. Taking this into consideration, the district administration gave permission.